“Like Moths To A Flame…” – Kanye, Louis Vuitton & NYMag
Everything Else By Gotty™ on April 23, 2009 at 12:38 pm
It seems as if Kanye may have inadvertently caused yet another minor skirmish.
Apparently, Louis V. decided against using those images that Kanye said were going to be used in the ad for his upcoming LV sneaker. We’ve already discussed how LV is very selective about their image & how/where their products are displayed. While I was happy to look @ Amber’s bum and I’ve seen racier ads in various men’s fashion mags, it’s the company’s decision, again, to determine how they want their products marketed; not Kanye’s.
The skirmish portion comes in when the widely-read NYMag reported on things.
“So to answer the question we all asked when we first saw these images, no, Louis Vuitton is not out of its mind. We’re still not sure what the shots are for. We’re guessing some kind of urban magazine like Giant. Unless Vogue has lost its mind.”
Often, verbal squabbles like these can be seen in volleyball terms. NYMag’s Amy Odell dinked the ball over the net & Parlour’s Steely D. fires a spike back across like Greg Focker.
I have issues with Odell’s statements for several reasons. First, the mention of Giant in a condescending tone is a bit much. Especially since NYMag did a photo shoot with Lindsay Lohan almost naked last year and I’m sure that was more risque than many were ready for, not to mention Lohan’s bum is the opening photo. Secondly, the phrase “some kind of urban magazine” sounds like non-urban mags don’t show women half naked, etc. Thirdly, her statement “Unless Vogue has lost its mind” is condescending too. Frankly, I wish – I’m sure Anna Wintour does too – that US Vogue would lose it’s mind. The book would probably sell more issues.
I consider myself somewhat impartial here. We’ve given Kanye hell and praise alike. And, I oogled @ Lindsay & Amber’s nudity equally. On this one, I have to agree with Steely because Odell’s snarky remarks did seem like a thinly veiled swipe as if “urban” artists cannot create “art” – be it in film, music, clothing, photography, etc. – without being trashy. To me, Kanye & Amber’s shoot was tasteful, seeing as how only a portion of her suppleness was shown.
And lest the old guard forget (or their descendants refuse to accept), “urban” culture is now the most popular culture. Kanye is one of the leaders from whom the masses take style cues. Even though Kanye’s hit & miss with his predictions in my opinion, half the posts on his blog deal with high-end fashion, furniture & art. Younger twenty-somethings just cashing their first real paychecks & still chasing all things couture eat those words up as the gospel. And their reading & watching him, taking their hints.
If NYMag, Vogue etc. want to stay ahead of the wave and not get swept under it, they’d be wise to work with Kanye, accommodate his way-out ways and rake in the sales. Hey, it’s better than the alternative.
Kanye West’s Shoot With Naked Amber Rose NOT for Louis Vuitton Ads [The Cut] via Bossip
NYMag Betrays Racism? [Parlour]
Previously Posted — Your Obligatory Kanye West Post: Kanye West x Nike x Louis Vuitton x American Idol
Phil Da Agony Feat. Talib Kweli & SAS – Hunters
Sick Jacken & Evidence – Classical
Obie Trice Feat. Bun-B – Playa
Leela James Download – Baby I’m Scared of You
Jibbs – $1000
Dom Kennedy – Hard Work (Prod. by Chuck Inglish)
Royce Da 5′9″ – Slaughter (Props to Shake)
Southeast Slim Feat. Wale – Shake Ya Plaits
DJ Spinna Feat. Fresh Daily and Daniel Joseph – Summer Madness
Keelay & Zaire Feat. Mario Dones – We Made It
Custom Made – A Few Friends
Posted in Everything Else, SMOKE BREAK — Tags: Amber Rose, Kanye West, Louis Vuitton, NY Mag, Parlour Magazine
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14 Comments
Been lookin for hours for Maybach Music 2 Instrumental and Jay-Z “The City is Mine” instrumental. Any help out there?
the only reason this ad is NOT running is because a white naked woman is pictured near a dressed black dude.
if she was alone = ad runs
if he was somewhat naked = ad runs
the mainstream ain’t ready for this pic. and that’s the realest shit ever said.
Rick Ross – The Maybach Album (by J.U.S.T.I.C.E. League) (EP)
“Trilla Intro”
“Maybach Music
“Billionaire”
“Luxury Tax”
“Magnificent”
“Yacht Club”
“Rich Off Cocaine”
“Maybach Music 2″
the only reason this ad is NOT running is because a white naked woman is pictured near a dressed black dude.
=================================
Sizzle.
@ ghostdini rich
*in old slave voice*
Bothering these white folks, Yall get on from ’round here! (haha)
You have a great point, and its apparent whats motivating the statements; with the calling out of Giant magazine along with that backhanded compliment of Vogue “Unless Vogue has lost its mind.”
Really? Because I felt like I’ve seen mainstream “interracial” ads before. It makes for great contrast and photography so I’m not sure if that’s it..
^You mean like that Lebron cover?
Or the T.O. Monday Night Football spot?
Nothing wrong with either of those at all…
good point, oh dear and the kid…
HOWEVER, the lebron cover wasn’t villified as much by mainstream media…cause the white lady was dressed to the 9’s. it was black media that had issues because of lebron being in his bball uniform and screaming like they were recreating the kingkong movie.
also…regarding the T.O. ad for MNF….remember that mainstream media went to town both on MNF and T.O. for doing that shit. i don’t even recall the white woman from desperate housewives getting any backlash from any outlets.
america loves it’s white women….and god forbid some ad showcases them standing too close to a black man. it’s 2009…folks gotta get over this shit.
Vogue, which has been in publication since forever, has a million or subscribers.
Giant, which has been around for roughly 5 yrs, has about the same amount.
Straight up changing of the guard & it’s not just black folks (b/c love my people as I do, I know a million of them aren’t subscribing lol). There’s a bit of fear there.
Also, even online, black media outlets are ahead of or at least playing even w/their counterparts. I’ve been tellin people that black people finally got in early on something.
Amber Rose is white?!?!
In other news…
I read that statement (a couple of days ago… a few days ago?) and nothing regarding race popped into my head – I mean, not at all – which is odd because I can spot that type of tone and what it REALLY means without ever going overboard (as most of us can).
But when I read it in this context/space…
I am offended by it.
I have to figure out why I was not before.
Seriously.
Why this monkey nigger wear Louis Vuitton.
@gotty – Actually, Giant has 314,000 subscribers. This is the internet, son. Do your homework.
http://74.125.95.132/search?q=cache:LaHcSFrGNb0J:www.foliomag.com/2008/why-consumer-magazine-circulation-levels-are-still-too-bloated+giant+magazine+circulation&cd=4&hl=en&ct=clnk&gl=us&client=firefox-a
I agree with Steely D at Parlour mag. Giant is actually a solid, if slightly pretentious, magazine. To dismiss it as “just another urban magazine” like its just another Smooth or Straight Stuntin’ type magazine (like that’s a pejorative) is, if not outright racist, racially or at least culturally ignorant/insensitive.
On some other notes….
Why couldn’tLouis Vuitton run these images? I see all kind of tasteful nudes in high fashion ads and layouts. Is it becase the skin on display is black this time?
Or is it black? This is the second time this week I’ve read this, what The Real Anonymous said: Amber Rose is white??!! Is that confirmed?
The reason why they dont wanna run this ad is because it’s freaking ugly and in bad taste. it’s badly framed too. Cuz Kanye has no taste. how come nobody realizes this. high couture is not classy, it’s superficial, empty, and dead. glamour and all that shit.
okay im done.